Sometimes it's more than cooking a meal; it's a downright project.

Stir-Fried Brown Rice with Chard, Carrot, Peppers and Scallions

This is so simple and delicious. You could probably throw whatever you have in house in here and it would be great. Definitely don’t leave out the chard, though, cause the chard ribs add a lot to it and are amazing. It’s basically all prep…once everything is chopped this takes about 5 minutes.

Ingredients:

1generous bunch of chard (1 to 1 1/4 pounds), stemmed, washed and chopped. (Keep the stems, also chopped, for the stir fry)

2 to 3tsp. minced garlic (to taste)

2 tbls. minced fresh ginger (to taste)

2eggs

Salt to taste

2tsps plus 2 tbls. sesame oil

1medium carrot, cut in 2-inch julienne

1 habanero pepper, seeded and minced

1 green pepper, minced

1bunch scallions, sliced, dark green parts separated

4cups cooked brown rice, either chilled or at room temperature

1 to 2tablespoons soy sauce (to taste)

¼teaspoon ground pepper

½cup chopped cilantro

coarse sea salt, to taste

Preparation:

Combine garlic, ginger and habanero in a small bowl. Beat eggs in a bowl and season with a pinch of salt. Prepare the other ingredients and place in separate bowls.

Heat a wok or a 12-inch skillet over high heat. Swirl in 2 teaspoons of oil. Add eggs, swirling the wok or pan so that the eggs form a thin pancake. Cook 30 – 60 seconds, until set. Using a spatula, turn pancake over and cook for 5 to 10 more seconds, until thoroughly set, then transfer to a plate or cutting board and quickly cut into strips.

Swirl in remaining oil and add garlic, ginger and habanero. Stir-fry no more than 10 seconds and add chard stems, carrots and green pepper. Stir-fry for 2 minutes, until crisp-tender, and add light part of the scallions and chard leaves. Stir-fry until leaves wilt, 1 to 2 minutes, and add rice. Stir-fry, scooping up the rice with your spatula then pressing it into the hot wok or pan and scooping it up again, for about 2 minutes. Add soy sauce, dark green part of the scallions, eggs and cilantro, stir-fry for about 30 seconds and remove from heat. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt and serve.